Tag Archives: Barry Gibb

I have often read comments from people in the diabetes community about how they wish people, celebrities, would do more to help. The truth of the matter is that there are quite a few.

Of course we always believe that our diabetes concerns should be front and center but it is a big world out there and only limited space for so many causes. Let’s take a look at just some, and a BIG ONLY some, of the celebrities and how they have helped in various causes. Without question, the leading celebrity voice for diabetes causes is Mary Tyler Moore.
(In all of the examples below, click the picture to see the short video.)

Ms. Moore’s efforts on behalf of the JDRF span the decades but she was not alone in assisting diabetes causes and there have been many. Ever see this one with Sandra Oh, Nicole Johnson, and Brett Michaels to name a few.

And music sensation, Nick Jonas, did much work for many organizations, here is his PSA spot for the American Diabetes Association along with Jay Cutler’s spot as well.

Many celebrities from sports and entertainment attend events on our behalf, testify before congress, lend their names and their time to attend events, donate money (many times without any fanfare), and even perform, as is the case tonight in Miami where music icon Barry Gibb will be singing some of his top hits from the Bee Gees at the DRIF’s Love and Hope Ball for almost 800 people.

This is but a sampling (and surely not a complete) of an ever-growing list that includes others like Ray Allen and his family, Olympian Gary Hall and Kris Freeman, other football greats Kendall Simmons and Vince Wilfork, race car driver Charlie Kimball and there are many, many more of which I have not forgotten, but only used a sampling to show that so many DO INDEED care; and help. Feel free to add anyone you want to mention as a reminder to everyone else.

We surely would love for many more stories in the news and the media to center around diabetes and surely we would like the list to grow, and the stories be more plentiful, but we should also recognize that many do much.

He is getting ready to tour. He was on Saturday Night live recently. He is making the circles around the talk show circuit. He mentions the DRI when he can. He and his wife, Linda, believe in the mission of the DRI. He was very close to Marty Kleiman, one of the founding families of the building which stands as a beacon of hope for all of us waiting for a cure of this dreaded disease.

I did not know Marty, I have been told he had incredible drive, a wonderful sense of humor, and the ability to make anyone feel comfortable when he was in a room. He lost his battle to cancer and his family’s efforts are surely engrained in the fiber and heart of the DRI even today. His son, and my colleague, Gary is one of the most knowledgeable people I know in the research world—he IS THE go-to person when something comes across my path of which I had not heard about. Gary has had diabetes for a long, long time. Yet he still has such a high hopes for a cure.

Some have become cynical about the cure, and that is surely their right. I know so many have heard of ‘this cure’ for so many years that they have become jaded. Some have just resigned themselves to the fact that if it comes great, but breathes will not be held waiting for it. The promise broken too often. It certainly is understandable. But I cannot be that way. Seems, neither can Gary. Neither can so many more. There is a reason we believe in the DRI even though so many of us have come from so many different walks of life in our diabetes journey.

It is not only what I have seen myself, but when I see the DRI through the eyes of so many people who; ask the tough questions, who get involved because they too believe, have toured the building, who understand the science and say, “…the DRI gets it…..”, and so many who lend their talents, their money, and in cases like Barry Gibb; even their well-known and good name to the place that means so much to so many, that continues to inspire me. Why would they be involved unless this place was so special? Why would I?
Many well-known people have inspired me with their incredible work to no end but it was a chance meeting two years ago that also showed me an incredible compassion as well. Barry’s brother, Robin, was so very ill with cancer. At the same time, my brother-in-law was also extremely ill with cancer. Within months of our meeting, both of our loved ones would lose that painful battle.

Through a series of twists and turns, we ended up together back stage. We talked about the brilliant concert he had just given at the DRI’s Love and Hope Ball. I thanked him for giving such a great concert. I said I knew a lot was going in his life and I appreciated his support for all of our kids with diabetes, even though his own family’s health battles were well-known. He informed how grateful he was to once again be with us. He also shared that he was surely concerned about his brother and I told him about my brother-in-law, Joel. We talked a little bit about what we each were going through; and that will stay between he and I.

At the end of the conversation I thanked him, and we hugged.

Yes, hugged.

I have found that for most people, no matter their status in life, the connection of an incredibly shared human moment is something that transcends everything else……even if it just happens to be with one of the greatest icons in music history.

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Disclaimer

This is my blog. I am not a medical professional and any medical written word is read somewhere else and will be credited accordingly. There is no substitution for YOUR medical team. I am not paid for what is written on this blog.